By Associated Press
Tuscaloosa, AL – Tuscaloosa's BFGoodrich tire plant will gain 50 jobs from Michelin North America's decision to close a specialty tire plant in Ohio.
Michelin is the parent company of BFGoodrich.
The firm says it will consolidate its facility in Mogadore, Ohio, with the Tuscaloosa plant.
Jimmy Price, president of Local 351L of the United Steelworkers of America, says the decision was a vote of confidence in the 60-year-old Tuscaloosa plant, which produces car and light-truck tires.
The union represents the plant's 1,275 employees and negotiated a new labor agreement with Michelin in August. The terms stipulated that the plant would not close or lay off workers during the three-year duration of the contract.
Michelin spokeswoman Lynn Mann says the consolidation is a cost-saving move because both plants require similar raw materials.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)